Now it’s time to get the White-Blues newcomer to know better.
Football talent of Vitorino Gabriel Pacheco Antunes has always been doubtless. Before joining FC Dynamo Kyiv in February of 2015 he used to feature for many European clubs.
Impressive start
Antunes, who was called Vitorino (Portuguese for “winner”), was born on April 1 1987 in the town called Freamunde located in the north of Portugal.
The boy went in for football at the age of nine. When he was 19 he joined FC Paços de Ferreira.
That season he made 23 appearances in Primeira Liga and his team finished 6th and thus qualified for the UEFA Cup. Besides Antunes took the field in every FIFA U-20 World Cup match and scored one goal for Portugal (against Mexico).
On June 5 2007 Vitorino made his debut for the national team in the friendly against Kuwait.
The following season he got transfer offer from AS Roma that looked like a confirmation the fact that new football star came to the fore.
Triumphal debut in Eternal City and oblivion…
The first official match for the Wolves was a triumph for Antunes. On December 12 2007 20-year-old newcomer demonstrated fabulous play in the Champions League group stage fixture against Manchester United. Roma fans chose him as the best player of the game.
On January 20 2008 Antunes made his debut in Serie A in the match against Catania. He also faced this team in the national cup semifinal. Still that season Vitorino made few appearances.
Starting with following year he featured for such clubs as US Lecce, LeixõesSC, AS Livorno and Panionios GSS on loan.
Before the start of 2012/13 season Antunes returned to his motherland and signed three-year contract with native Paços de Ferreira. It seemed that circle was closed, but loan move to Malaga CF changed everything.
New rise
New stage of Vitorino’s career started in Malaga. The team headed by Manuel Pellegrini performed successfully on European arena and the newcomer fit in well. In the second part of 2012/13 season Antunes made 11 appearances in Primera and took the field in four Champions League knock-out stage fixtures including the dramatic quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund Malaga lost in a stoppage time – 3:2.
The following season Vitorino became Malaga irreplaceable left back and made 36 appearances in La Liga. Besides he rejoined Portugal national team after five-year break.
After 15 matches in Primera (1 goal) this season Antunes was spotted by famous European clubs, such as Arsenal London, for example.
Still experienced player has chosen FC Dynamo Kyiv. He dreams of achieving success with our team. Antunes can prove supporters that his skills get better through the years, like good wine!
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